Aspects on the seasonal dynamics and the vertical distribution of the crustacean zooplankton community and the Dreissena polymorpha larvae in Lake Trichonis

In Lake Trichonis 9 crustacea species and the molluscan larvae of Dreissena polymorpha were recorded during four seasonal samplings from summer 2002 to spring 2003. Mean integrated values of crustacea abundance ranged from 4.5 to 12.9 ind/L and were mainly dominated by the calanoida Eudiaptomus drieschi. The abundance values recorded, as well as the seasonal dynamics, followed the monoacmic pattern of oligotrophic lakes. However, the presence of Daphnia cucullata, a typical representative of eutrophic lakes, the decrease of the calanoida participation in the crustacea community and the succession in the cladocera community, could probably indicate a tendency towards a change of the trophic condition of Lake Trichonis.Along the vertical axis the maximum abundance of the zooplankton community was recorded in the surface 0-10 m. Mollusca larvae were present in all seasons and their highest abundance was recorded in the surface layer 0-10 m. Temperature, competition and predation seemed to be the main factors regulating vertical distribution

Neuroinflammation, Mast Cells, and Glia: Dangerous Liaisons

The perspective of neuroinflammation as an epiphenomenon following neuron damage is being replaced by the awareness of glia and their importance in neural functions and disorders. Systemic inflammation generates signals that communicate with the brain and leads to changes in metabolism and behavior, with microglia assuming a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Identification of potential peripheral-to-central cellular links is thus a critical step in designing effective therapeutics. Mast cells may fulfill such a role. These resident immune cells are found close to and within peripheral nerves and in brain parenchyma/meninges, where they exercise a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory process from initiation through chronic activation. Mast cells and glia engage in crosstalk that contributes to accelerate disease progression; such interactions become exaggerated with aging and increased cell sensitivity to stress. Emerging evidence for oligodendrocytes, independent of myelin and support of axonal integrity, points to their having strong immune functions, innate immune receptor expression, and production/response to chemokines and cytokines that modulate immune responses in the central nervous system while engaging in crosstalk with microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we summarize the findings related to our understanding of the biology and cellular signaling mechanisms of neuroinflammation, with emphasis on mast cell-glia interactions

Reverse taxonomy applied to the Brachionus calyciflorus cryptic species complex: Morphometric analysis confirms species delimitations revealed by molecular phylogenetic analysis and allows the (re) description of four species

The discovery and exploration of cryptic species have been profoundly expedited thanks to developments in molecular biology and phylogenetics. In this study, we apply a reverse taxonomy approach to the Brachionus calyciflorus species complex, a commonly studied freshwater monogonont rotifer. By combining phylogenetic, morphometric and morphological analyses, we confirm the existence of four cryptic species that have been recently suggested by a molecular study. Based on these results and according to an exhaustive review of the taxonomic literature, we name each of these four species and provide their taxonomic description alongside a diagnostic key

Brachionus rotundiformis tschugunoff, 1921 from the brachionus plicatilis species complex (Rotifera: Monogononta): A new record from galápagos archipelago, Ecuador

The presence of the rotifer species Brachionus rotundiformis from the B. plicatilis species complex in Lake Arcturo, a saline lake in the Genovesa Island of the Galápagos Islands, is here reported. This is the first record of the species for the rotifer fauna of Ecuador as well as of the species complex to the Galápagos Islands. This finding is consistent with the idea of high dispersion capacity, and of cosmopolitan distribution of this species complex. Because Genovesa Island is uninhabited, passive transport by wind currents and zoochory by migrant birds seem to emerge as the most plausible factors in this process of colonization. Integrative studies on the morphological variations, genetic, molecular, and ecological aspects are still required to further understand the process of dispersion and the ecology of this member of the B. plicatilis species complex in this remote and isolated locality, and the exact taxonomical position of the island’s population to the other members of the complex.</p

Phytoplankton and water quality in a Mediterranean drinking-water reservoir (Marathonas Reservoir, Greece)

Phytoplankton and water quality of Marathonas drinking-water Reservoir were examined for the first time. During the study period (July-September 2007), phytoplankton composition was indicative of eutrophic conditions although phytoplankton biovolume was low (max. 2.7 mm(3) l (-aEuro parts per thousand 1)). Phytoplankton was dominated by cyanobacteria and diatoms, whereas desmids and dinoflagellates contributed with lower biovolume values. Changing flushing rate in the reservoir (up to 0.7% of reservoir's water volume per day) driven by water withdrawal and occurring in pulses for a period of 15-25 days was associated with phytoplankton dynamics. Under flushing pulses: (1) biovolume was low and (2) both 'good' quality species and the tolerant to flushing 'nuisance' cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa dominated. According to the Water Framework Directive, the metrics of phytoplankton biovolume and cyanobacterial percentage (%) contribution indicated a moderate ecological water quality. In addition, the total biovolume of cyanobacteria as well as the dominance of the known toxin-producing M. aeruginosa in the reservoir's phytoplankton indicated a potential hazard for human health according to the World Health Organization

Olive Leaf Powder as a Potential Functional Component of Food Innovation: An In Vitro Study Evaluating Its Total Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content

Olive leaves (Olea europaea) are the most abundant agricultural by-product of olive tree cultivation, generating substantial waste each year. Their disposal is deemed an environmental challenge, particularly in Mediterranean countries that dominate the olive oil sector, yet their rich bioactive profile makes them promising candidates for functional food development. This study aimed to determine the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolic content (TPC) of olive leaf powder extracts using different extraction solvents and methods to identify the most efficient strategy for possible incorporation into functional food systems. Extractions were performed with distilled water, 70% ethanol, 80% methanol, and 50% acetone using three methods: stirring, soaking, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). TAC and TPC were quantified using the FRAP and Folin&ndash;Ciocalteu assays, respectively. Among solvents, acetone consistently yielded the highest values across most methods (TAC: 19.02 mmol Fe2+/L, TPC: 1289.95 mg GA/L), while ethanol also showed strong extraction performance (TAC: 15.35 mmol Fe2+/L; TPC: 1214.76 mg GA/L), offering a safer and more scalable option for food applications. Method-wise, UAE achieved the greatest phenolic recovery, while both UAE and stirring proved effective for antioxidant extraction. Overall, these findings provide quantitative evidence supporting possible incorporation of olive leaf powder as a valuable ingredient in functional foods and other sustainable applications, while also contributing to the circular economy through the sustainable valorization of agricultural waste

Diversity of Rotifera in Freshwaters of Bolivia: An Updated Checklist

Biodiversity records are of great importance, especially in light of the biodiversity crisis. Here, we present a study on the diversity of rotifers in Bolivia based on an extensive investigation of the literature published so far. Through this approach and an analysis of samples from 207 water bodies of the country, we updated the checklist of reported species. This study revealed a total of 195 species of rotifers previously reported; we identified 153 species in our samples, with 84 of them being reported for the first time in Bolivia. Thus, a total of 279 species are known at present in this country. Our findings suggest that Bolivia has a rich and diverse rotifer community, with many species likely to be unique to the region